BMW X3 vs Cadillac LYRIQ

The 2026 BMW X3 30 xDrive started at $52,650, but enthusiasts often opted for upgrades, pushing the price to nearly $62,500 for a more luxurious experience. The X3 M50, priced from $67,850, featured numerous enhancements, including a $3,600 Frozen Deep Grey paint job, 21-inch wheels, and Merino leather upholstery, bringing the MSRP to $79,100. Despite its high price, the X3's interior felt austere, with a cold, industrial design that BMW described as "monolithic." The illuminated grille surround was a polarizing feature, while the cabin's touch-sensing controls and general austerity left some feeling it lacked the luxury expected at this price point.

In contrast, the 2027 Cadillac LYRIQ stood out with its striking design and tasteful details, maintaining its allure over the years. Its interior blended technology with old-school luxury, featuring top-notch materials and user-friendly toggle switches for climate controls. Despite past issues with build quality, the test vehicle showed improvements, suggesting Cadillac had addressed these concerns. The LYRIQ's design and material quality were exceptional, though potential buyers were advised to thoroughly inspect their vehicle before purchase to ensure quality.

The 2026 BMW X3 M50 boasted a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, delivering 393 horsepower and 428 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain provided exhilarating acceleration, reaching 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. The M50 featured performance enhancements like an M Sport rear differential, M Sport brakes, and an Adaptive M suspension. The base X3 30 xDrive, with a 255-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, offered a sprightly performance, reaching 60 mph in six seconds. Both models came with all-wheel drive and a 48-volt mild hybrid system, contributing to a combined fuel economy rating of 27 mpg.

The 2027 Cadillac LYRIQ featured a 102-kWh battery pack and a DC fast-charging speed of 190 kW. The single-motor RWD version produced 365 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, offering an EPA-rated range of 326 miles. The dual-motor AWD Lyriq-V delivered 615 hp and 650 lb-ft, with a range of up to 285 miles. The tested AWD model produced 515 hp and 450 lb-ft, with a range of 319 miles. Despite its power, the LYRIQ's throttle was tuned for a refined, linear acceleration, reminiscent of a torque-rich V8. The ride comfort was impressive, even with 22-inch wheels, and the braking system offered three settings for a customizable driving experience.

The 2026 BMW X3 featured heated, power-adjustable front sport seats with Veganza upholstery, offering comfort and support. The rear seats, however, were less accommodating, with low cushions and hard plastic frames on the front seatback storage nets. The panoramic glass sunroof provided ample natural light, and the cargo space measured 31.5 cubic feet, expandable to 67.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. A temporary spare tire was included, a rarity in modern vehicles.

The 2027 Cadillac LYRIQ offered decent interior storage, with large cupholders, wide door bins, and a deep center armrest bin. The center console featured a large storage tray, and a pull-out tray under the dash served as a second glovebox. The cargo space measured 28 cubic feet, accommodating six suitcases with room to spare. The LYRIQ's rear seat provided abundant legroom, making it suitable for taller passengers and rear-facing child seats. It offered more legroom than the Audi Q6 e-Tron and was wider than the Optiq, allowing for three passengers across the back seat.

The 2026 BMW X3's dashboard was dominated by the BMW Curved Display, featuring a 12.3-inch digital driver display and a 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The Premium Package added a head-up display, a 15-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound system, and several driving assistance systems. The infotainment system ran BMW Operating System 9 with QuickSelect, offering cloud-based navigation, Augmented View video, and more. However, the system had real-world issues, particularly in Guest mode, which did not remember settings. Apple CarPlay worked well, except for a peculiar instance where music played through the smartphone speaker instead of the car's stereo.

The 2027 Cadillac LYRIQ featured a beautifully crisp OLED touchscreen with an arched design, contributing to the cabin's luxurious look. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Google built-in functions like Google Maps and Google Assistant voice commands. The standard AKS audio system with Dolby Atmos provided exceptional sound quality, with AKS speaker grilles visible throughout the cabin. This level of audio quality was typically an expensive option in other luxury SUVs.

The 2026 BMW X3 came equipped with a comprehensive suite of driver assistance systems, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and an active blind-spot monitor. The optional Driving Assistance Professional Package added advanced features like lane-centering assist and adaptive cruise control with hands-free traffic jam assist. The X3's safety tech was customizable, allowing drivers to adjust sensitivity settings. However, the system occasionally misinterpreted obstacles, leading to unexpected braking. The X3 received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2027 Cadillac LYRIQ offered standard driver-assistance features, with GM's Super Cruise hands-free highway driving assist system as a standout feature. Super Cruise operated hands-free on highways, providing a consistent and smart driving experience. The LYRIQ received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and top marks from the IIHS for crash safety and vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention. However, it received an Acceptable score for vehicle-to-pedestrian crash prevention and a Poor headlight score due to excessive glare.